BOSTON - Friday, June 17, 2022 - Mayor
Michelle Wu today joined state and City officials, Pennrose, LGBTQ Senior
Housing Inc., and the Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD) to break ground on The Pryde, Boston’s first designated LGBTQ-friendly
housing development for older Bostonians. When complete, the renovations of
the former Barton Rogers School in Hyde Park will preserve the original
1899 building and its two additions from 1920 and 1934 while creating 74
new mixed-income rental units that will be welcoming to seniors 62 years
and older. All units will be deed-restricted in perpetuity and will provide
affordable, safe housing for seniors across a wide variety of incomes.
“Building a city for everyone means ensuring
that as our residents age, they can stay here in the City with safe,
affordable housing that is welcoming to all,” said Mayor Michelle
Wu. “This new development will be an incredible asset to the
neighborhood, offering not just housing, but gardens, walking trails, an
art studio with gallery space, and other community benefits to truly make
our LGBTQ+ seniors feel at home. As we celebrate Pride Month, this is a
shining example of how Boston can breathe new life into existing spaces for
the benefit of our residents.”
“Older adults are the fastest-growing
population in Massachusetts, and housing needs for this population are
unique – and in high demand in every region. The Pryde in Hyde Park is the
first of its kind in Massachusetts to provide tailored housing for our
LGBTQ neighbors to age in this vibrant neighborhood,” said Lt.
Governor Karyn Polito. “We are thrilled to continue investing state and
federal funds to increase housing opportunities in the Commonwealth.”
The redevelopment is being led by Pennrose
and LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc. who worked extensively with the local
community in Hyde Park to meet the needs of residents. The Pryde is located
near shops and restaurants and a variety of cultural and outdoor amenities,
including the Menino Arts Center and the public library. It is also close
to two MBTA commuter rail stops serving the Fairmont and Providence
lines.
“The Hyde Park community has completely
embraced us and our plans for this building, as a welcoming and friendly
complex,” said Charlie Adams, Regional Vice President at
Pennrose. “This treasured neighborhood asset served the neighborhood
well for 100 years, and will now serve it for another 100 years not just
for residents but for the community at large with over 10,000 square feet
of gathering space.”
The new building will include elevators for
accessibility, central air, on-site laundry facilities, a large community
space for programming, and an art studio with gallery space for residents
on the first floor. It will also be the new home office of the 54th
Regiment organization. There will be a courtyard with green space that will
also feature a community garden and recreational space available to all the
residents. In accordance with the City of Boston’s Building Emissions
Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO), The Pryde will include
energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, as well as Energy Star rated
appliances, and will have environmentally friendly design features
throughout.
“LGBTQ seniors face higher rates of housing
discrimination, lower incomes, higher unemployment, increased food
insecurity, and deal with the legacy of trauma and social isolation, with
fewer traditional supports,” said Aileen Montour, president of
LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc. “We are proud to work closely with all
project partners - the city, the state, DHCD - and to have the
unwavering support of Mayor Wu to help address this inequity in Boston
through affordable, inclusive housing that sets an example for other cities
throughout the country. Our older adults especially appreciate the
opportunity to live authentically and unapologetically in a supportive
community - we feel seen, heard and cared about.”
"At HUD, we are focused on housing and
community development with a dedication to equity, inclusive communities,
and quality, affordable homes for all," said Michele Perez,
Assistant Deputy Secretary for HUD's Office of Field Policy and Management.
"HUD's greatest hope is that these efforts are sustainable and become
a normal, natural way we operate. That is why it is so inspiring to be here
to break ground on The Pryde today."
Of the 74 total income-restricted rental
units in the new Barton Rogers development, eight will be rented to
households of individuals who are homeless or who require rental
assistance. Another three will be deeply affordable units for seniors with
incomes up to 30% Area Median Income (AMI), seven units will
be available to households earning 50% AMI, and thirty-two units will be
available to a two-person household earning less than 60% AMI, eight
households earning up to 80% AMI, and sixteen units will be set aside for
100% AMI.
The William Barton Rogers Middle School was
built in 1899 on 74,000 square feet of land in Boston’s Hyde Park
neighborhood. The original building was expanded twice, once in 1920, and
then again in 1934. In the more than 100 years of its operation as a Boston
Public School, it served as a high school, and later a middle school.
Before its closure in June 2015, the Rogers School put an emphasis on the
performing arts and inclusivity for all.
“We need in every community a safe haven
with open doors for all. A place where you can be who you want to be,”
said Pat Tierney, a local neighborhood advocate. “We thank
Pennrose and LGTBTQ Senior Housing Inc., the City of Boston, and
partners for giving Hyde Park The PRYDE.”
Financing for The Pryde includes $4 million
from the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Housing including $2 million of
Community Preservation Act funding; $3.825 million from the Department of
Housing and Community Development (DHCD); TD Bank, facilitated through
Redstone Equity, provided over $16.4 million in Federal Low Income Housing
Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Federal Historic Tax Credit equity, and over $21
million in construction financing. The Commonwealth is providing $2.95
million of State Low Income Housing Tax Credits which generate over $12
million in equity and $1.8 million of State Historic Tax Credits which
generate over $1.6 million in equity; Massachusetts Housing Partnership is
providing over $6.6 million in permanent loans, the Community and Economic
Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) is providing $750,000 of
Community Based Housing (CBH) funding; the Federal Home Loan Bank Of Boston
is providing $650,000 of Affordable Housing Program funds; LGBTQ Senior
Housing is providing funding in the amount of $350,000.
The groundbreaking builds on Mayor Wu’s
initiatives to address Boston’s housing affordability, including filing
a Home Rule
Petition relative to
real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief, signing an Executive
Order relative to
affirmatively furthering fair housing, convening a Rent
Stabilization Advisory Committee to inform future legislative proposals, announcing the
City’s new Chief of
Planning, and the results of
the Citywide land
audit.
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